All fish / Labridae

Tarry Hogfish

Bodianus bilunulatus

Also known as saddleback hogfish, tarry hogfish, bilunulatus hogfish, hawaiian hogfish, blackspot hogfish, two-spot hogfish, crescent hogfish, タキベラ, 双斑狐鲷, 黑带狐鲷

Juveniles are pale with reddish or yellow lines and a big black saddle near the tail, and adults turn duller pinkish brown. It is a hardy, active wrasse kept by owners of large fish-only systems for its bold personality.

Care at a glance

Care level

Moderate

Temperament

Semi

Adult size

35 cm

Temperature

22 to 27 °C

pH

8.1 to 8.4

Smallest tank

700 litres

Keep as

Single specimen

Diet

Carnivore: crustaceans, molluscs, krill, mysis, chopped seafood

Swims

Bottom of the tank

Lifespan

10 to 15 years

Water

Marine (saltwater)

Wild range

Indo-West Pacific, from East Africa and the Red Sea to Japan, Australia and Hawaii

Breeding

It is a protogynous hermaphrodite, so females can turn into males, and it scatters eggs in open water. It has not been bred in home aquariums in any reliable way.

Good to know

It grows large and will eat shrimps, crabs, snails and small fish, so it is not safe in a reef tank. It can also become pushy with peaceful tankmates as it gets older.